The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-07
CHAPTER x.

most OF the blacks were ready for the fight He
had now nothing to do but wait. His arrange
| ments were to make his first stand at the pail
sades round the private park. and then, if driven
back. to make another stand behind the walls of
| Castle House.
| About 5 o'clock the increasing tumult showed
| that the assailants were not far off, From the
| shouting it was only too easy to understand that
| they were in possession of the northern part of
the estate. On the right, thick columns of
smoke began to rise above the trees. The saw
| mills had been fire. and the barracoons
| after being pillaged. were in flames. The poor
! people had not had time to put in safety the
| few things that the act of liberation had made
| their own the evening before, and loud were the
| cries CT despair and anger that answered the
| shouts of the marauders.
Gradually the shouters approached Castle
House. strange light appeared in the north
ern horizon, as if the setting in that di-
rectlon. Occasional puffs OF warm, smoky air
swept up against the house Violent detona-
tons produced by the burning of the dry wood
In the work shops were heard every now and
showed that the boiler at one of the saw mills
had been blown up. Devastation in all it's hor-
rors was evidently in progress.
Burbank, Carroll and Stannard were the
gate in the palisades. There they received and
disposed of the last detachment of negroes that
were gradua y coming in. The assailant
might appear at any moment The increasing
crackle of the musketry showed that they could
not be far from the ring. which easy of
sault, for the nearest trees were not fifty yards
away. The confederates could keep in cover to
the last moment, ard the bullets began to rain
on the palisades, while the rifles remained in
visible.
withdraw all the men within the fortress. There
the armed negroes would be less exposed.
they could fire between the angles at the top of
the tim bers and when the assailants tried to
the stream and carry the stron ehold by storm,
they might manage to repulse them
The negroes were all withdrawn, and the gate
throwing a last glance around without, caught
sight of man at full run towards him, as if
seeking safety among the defenders of Castle
House. A few shots were aimed at him from
the woods close oy, but did not hit him. With
a bound he jumped on the drawbridge and was
In safety within the palisades. The gate was
Immediately shut and firmly fastened.
who your asked James Burbank.
Zone of the servants of Mr.. Harvey, your
correspondent at jacksonville"
Ibid MIR. Harvey send you here with q mes
sagep
not cross it hereabouts"
And you came with the militia without being
suspectedF
Yes They are followed by mob of hooters.
| came with them. as soon as was within range
/ ran and risked few shots"
Good, my friend! Thanks! You have Mr..
Harvey's messace?"
YES, Mr. Burbank Here it is"
Burbank took The letter and read r. MIR. Har-
vey said ne might put implicit confidence in his
messenger, John Bruce, of whose sincerity thsrA
could be nj doubt. After hearing the news he
brought. Mr.. Burbank would see what was best
to be done.
AT this instant volley was heard from with
out. There was not moment to lose
What would Mr.. Harvey have me under
stand2" asked Burbank.
THAT in the first place" said Bruce 1.-THE
armed mob which is attacking Candles Bay Is
from fourteen to fifteen hundred strong"
ST did not reckon them at less. What next?
Is Texar at their headF
MIR. Harvey found it impossible to ascertain.
One thing is certain, and that Is that Texar has
been at Jacksonville for the last four-and-
twenty hours!
THAT ought to indicate some new scheme OF
the scoundrel's," said Burbank.
'tYesr answered Bruce. THAT is what Mr.,
Harvey thinks. Besides. Texar need not be
there to execute the order to setting adrft
tie freed slaves"
.Ssttng them adrifsw exclaimed Burbank.
Setting them adrft and helping them in in
cendiarism and robbery"
land Mr.. Harvey thinks that while there is
time you would do well to put your family in
safety by sending them away at once from
Castle House."
s.Castle House." said Burbank. 'can be de-
Tended and we will only leave it when 1t is I'M
tenable. is there any fresh news from jack
sonvillea"
''None."
Have not the Federal troops made any move
rnent into Florlda?'
None since they occupied Fernandina and
the Bay of St. Mary's."
''And what is the chief reason of your being
sent7"
was only a pretext got up by Texar to enable
him to lay waste the plantation. and make you
his prisoner"
these rascalsE"
mo Mr.. Burbank. Mr.. Harvey tried to find
out but could not. And have tried since
left Jacksonville, but without success"
Are there many of the militia with this
mob?"
"A hundred. at the outside" replied Bruce.
''but the mob is composed of the very worst
characters. Texar bad them supplied 1ith
weapons, and they will not stop at any excess.
/ repeat, Mr.. Burbank, Mr. Harveys opinion is
He ordered me invite you to his cottage at
Hampton Red. 1t is about dozen miles up
stream on the right bank, and there you would
be safe for some days"
Eyes, / know"
81 could take you and your family there with
out risk Of discovery if you will go at once, be-
~ thank Mr. Harvey, and you too, my friend"
said Burbank, "but we have not yet come to
that"
LAS you wish, Mr. Burbank" answered
Bruce. II shall none the less remain until you
require my services"
The attack which now began required all
James Burbanks attention.
A violent fusilade burst out. although the
sa;lants could not be owing to the shelter
of the trees. The bullets rained the pallis-
AIDES. but did little damage. unfortunately,
Burbank and his companions could only reply
feebly, having only forty guns amongst them.
Being stationed in the best positions for firing
effectively. their shots did more execution than
those Of the militIamen at the head of the col
umn. few of whom were hit. though hidden in
the wood.
This long-range fight lasted for about half an
hour rather to the advantage of the defenders.
Then the assailants rushed at the palisades to
storm them. AS the attack was to be delivered
on several sides at once. they brought with them
planks and beams from the workshops, now in
flames. In twenty places these beams
thrown across the stream, and over them rushed
the SpanIard's men to the foot of the palisades.
losing several of their number in killed and
wounded And then they climbed up the planks
and hoisted another M; but they did not
cat inf
ated against the incendiarps. repulsed them
with great bravery But il was evident that the
defenders of Candles Bay could not for long
hold out at all points, against the murderous
foe Until nghtfali they might keep them at
bay provided they were not seriously wounded.
Burbank and Stannard had however, not been
touched. Carroll alone, had been hit by ball
that tore open his shoulder. He had TO retire to
the hall where Mrs. Burbank, Alice, and
Zermah gave him every attention.
But night was coming to the he'll 81 the be-